Which Shopify Plan Is Best For Dropshipping?

Introduction.

If you’re starting a dropshipping business, you probably already know that Shopify is one of the top platforms to help you set up your online store.

It’s popular for good reason—Shopify is user-friendly, flexible, and packed with features that make it easy to start selling products right away. But, like many things in life, choosing the right Shopify plan can be a little tricky.

With a few options to choose from, it’s important to pick the one that matches your business needs, especially for dropshipping.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the different Shopify plans, break down what each offers, and explain which one might be the best fit for dropshipping.

Shopify Plans Overview

Shopify has three main plans: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced. Each plan comes with different features and pricing, so it’s important to understand what you get at each level and what might be most useful for your dropshipping journey.

1. Basic Shopify Plan

The Basic Shopify plan is the most affordable plan available. It’s a great starting point for small businesses or entrepreneurs who are just dipping their toes into dropshipping.

With this plan, you’ll get all the essentials to set up your store, including an online store, basic reporting, and the ability to sell on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

For dropshipping, the Basic plan is often enough if you’re just testing the waters. You get access to a built-in Shopify payment system, which means you can accept payments without needing to sign up for third-party payment providers. Plus, the plan includes 2 staff accounts, which might be helpful if you’re starting to hire.

The biggest drawback? You don’t get access to some advanced features, like professional reports or more detailed shipping options. But if you’re just starting and don’t need all the bells and whistles, the Basic plan can work really well.

Pros:

Most affordable plan
Easy to use for beginners
Access to all basic dropshipping tools
Ability to integrate with popular dropshipping apps like Oberlo

Cons:

Limited reporting and analytics
Only 2 staff accounts

2. Shopify Plan.

The Shopify plan is a step up from the Basic plan. At a higher price point, this plan gives you more advanced features, such as professional reports, more shipping options, and the ability to create more staff accounts.

This plan is a great choice if you’re ready to scale your business and need more robust tools to manage it.

For dropshipping, the Shopify plan can be a great middle ground. You’ll have access to a larger selection of apps and more customization options, which can help you build a stronger store and improve customer experience.

If you’re looking to grow and want more control over your operations, this might be the right plan for you.

Pros:

Professional reports and analytics
More staff accounts (up to 5)
Better shipping and fulfillment options
More customizable features
Great for growing businesses

Cons:

Higher monthly cost
Not as many advanced features as the Advanced plan

3. Advanced Shopify Plan.

The Advanced Shopify plan is the top-tier option, designed for businesses that are scaling quickly and need more robust features.

It comes with advanced reporting, higher shipping discounts, and the ability to handle more staff accounts (up to 15). If you’re running a larger dropshipping operation or planning to scale quickly, this plan is ideal.

The biggest advantage of the Advanced plan is the comprehensive reporting. You’ll get detailed insights into customer behavior, sales data, and marketing performance, which can help you make more informed decisions and optimize your business.

Plus, you get the highest level of shipping discounts, which is a huge benefit if you’re dealing with high-volume orders.

Pros:

Advanced reporting and analytics
More staff accounts (up to 15)
The best shipping rates
Comprehensive tools for growing businesses

Cons:

The most expensive plan
Best for businesses with higher sales volume

Which Shopify Plan is Best for Dropshipping?

If you’re just starting with dropshipping, the Basic Shopify plan is probably all you need. It gives you access to all the essential features, including integration with dropshipping apps, and it’s the most affordable option.

However, if you’re looking to grow your business and need more features, you might want to consider the Shopify plan. It offers professional reports, better shipping options, and more staff accounts, which can help you streamline your business as it grows.

If you’re already running a successful dropshipping business with a high sales volume, or if you’re expecting to scale quickly, the Advanced Shopify plan might be the best fit. You’ll get advanced reporting, better shipping discounts, and more comprehensive tools to manage your business.

FAQs

1. Can I switch plans later on?

Yes! One of the great things about Shopify is that you can easily upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time.

If you start on the Basic plan and find that you need more features, you can move up to a higher plan. Shopify makes it simple to adjust as your business grows.

2. Do I need to use Shopify Payments for dropshipping?

No, you don’t have to use Shopify Payments for dropshipping, but it’s highly recommended. Shopify Payments integrates seamlessly with your store, making it easier to accept payments and manage your finances. You can also choose from other third-party payment gateways if needed.

3. What are the transaction fees for each plan?

Shopify takes a small percentage of each transaction. The transaction fee depends on which plan you choose:

Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (for online credit card rates)
Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction
Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction

You can avoid these transaction fees if you use Shopify Payments instead of third-party payment providers.

4. Is the Advanced plan worth it?

It depends on your business. If you’re running a large dropshipping store or plan to scale quickly, the Advanced plan can be very beneficial.

The advanced reporting, shipping discounts, and additional staff accounts can make managing a high-volume business much easier.

But if you’re just starting or growing slowly, the Basic or Shopify plans may be more than enough.

Conclusion.

Choosing the right Shopify plan for your dropshipping business depends on where you are in your journey. If you’re just starting and need a low-cost option, the Basic Shopify plan might be your best bet.

But if you’re planning to grow and need more features, the Shopify plan is a solid choice. And if you’re running a large operation with high sales volume, the Advanced plan could offer the best tools to help you scale.

The big question is: Which Shopify plan will give your dropshipping business the tools and features it needs to succeed right now?